Annual London education reports

Caroline Pidgeon: In February 2017 you published an annual London education report, yet no reports appear to have been published in 2018 and 2019. What has happened to subsequent annual London education reports?

The Mayor: The Annual London Education Report is currently being updated for release in the 2018/19 academic year. We are planning to complete its production by the end of this school term.

NHS salary cap exemptions

Onkar Sahota: Is the London Workforce Board, or any other part of the London Health Board, making any representations to the Government regarding a salary exemption for foreign citizens coming to work in the UK social care sector?

The Mayor: These Boards have not as yet made any formal representation to Government on this subject. However, I am very concerned at the risks arising to London and Londoners from the ill-thought out proposals of the Government’s recent immigration White Paper, including potential salary thresholds for foreign citizens; and I will be addressing this as part of my wider response to their proposals.

Young Londoners Fund (2)

Andrew Boff: What is the total amount of money that has been spent by the Young Londoners Fund and how much is remaining?

The Mayor: Grant and contractual commitments of over £20.5 million have already been made for projects that will deliver over the time period to December 2021. Based on the most recent financial accounts, £7.8 million of the Young Londoners Fund was spent in 2018-19, the programme’s first year of delivery.
Round two of the Young Londoners Fund opened on 15 May 2019 as planned and will allocate a further £15 million to community-based projects. These projects will deliver over the time period from October 2019 to December 2022.
Applications are also open (or due to open over the summer) for other Young Londoners Fund activity including: the Summer Sports Activity Fund; Sport Unites Impact Partnerships; Headstart Action; and services to support Young Victim of Violence in A&E.

Young Londoners Fund (1)

Andrew Boff: What is the total amount of money set aside for the Young Londoners Fund?

The Mayor: The GLA’s budget for the Young Londoners Fund is £45,850,000.
£45 million was allocated through MD2265 in March 2018. An additional £850k has been transferred from the Youth Innovation Fund to the Young Londoners Fund (MD2265 and MD2361).
City Bridge Trust (CBT) havealso allocated £1 million to fund a range of activities to provide additional support to organisations funded through the Young Londoners Fund. From this £300k has been directly granted to the GLA to part fund the Young Londoners Fund Local Networks.

Children in care

Fiona Twycross: Recent data has uncovered that there has been an increase in the number of children placed in care, that go missing, particularly after an out of area placement. How many of these took place in London in 2018? Will you write to the Government Minister responsible and ask them to increase their efforts to support vulnerable children in care and keep them in London close to their support networks?

The Mayor: Fourteen per cent of Looked After Children in London (approx. 1,380) had a missing incident in 2018. This has increased by 8 percentage points since 2015. We also know that 19 per cent of Looked After Children in London (approx. 1,879) were placed more than 20 miles from their home in 2018. This is based on data taken from the Local Authority Interactive Tool (LAIT) https://data.gov.uk/dataset/f3c3ca1d-3488-4aaf-97b2-e1ca68c986cd/local-a....
Data on the number of children placed in care in London that go missing after an out of area placement is not publicly available.We know that the transition period between placements is very challenging and is increased when young people are moved out of the area. I am committed to writing to Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, Nadhim Zahawi MP to draw his attention to this issue.

Directly elected Borough Mayors

Tony Devenish: Will you support the call of Hammersmith & Fulham residents' to trigger a ballot to follow the lead of the Government which you were a member of , which led to directly elected Borough Mayors in Hackney, Lewisham, Newham , Tower Hamlets?

The Mayor: This is a decision for the residents of Hammersmith and Fulham.

London Workforce Board

Onkar Sahota: What is the work programme for 2019/20 for the London Workforce Board?

The Mayor: I understand that the London Workforce Board is currently finalising its priorities for 2019/20 with partners to ensure they align with the opportunities in the NHS Long Term Plan, the pending NHS Workforce Implementation Plan, and the anticipated Social Care Green Paper.
These priorities will build on the work undertaken in 2018/19 on: entry-level careers in health and social care (through apprenticeships), recruitment and retention of staff (such as the CapitalNurse programme) and sharing of best practice in tackling London’s workforce challenges, through events and masterclasses.

Universal Credit

Fiona Twycross: The Institute for Fiscal Studies recently found that self-employed, low-paid and those on disability benefits are going to be the biggest losers as a result of Universal Credit. How many Londoners are worse off since the introduction of Universal Credit?

The Mayor: According to DWP, there are currently more than 260,000 Londoners claiming Universal Credit. However, not enough is known about their circumstances to assess how many are worse off.
The recent IFS research clearly demonstrates how those who need help the most are instead losing thousands of pounds a year - and this is all before the financial consequences of issues like payment delays, deductions and administrative errors are taken into consideration.
This is yet more evidence that Universal Credit is not fit for purpose, and I urge the government again to completely halt the roll-out and overhaul it to ensure that it works for everyone.

Secondary School Exclusions

Navin Shah: The London Assembly’s ‘Preventing secondary school exclusions’ report has found that the number of children being excluded from secondary schools in London has gone up for the past three years.
The report also stated that exclusions correlate with later violence or criminal activity. A study of UK prisoners found that 63% had been temporarily excluded and 42% permanently excluded at school. Given the rise in exclusions and the above correlation:
What are you doing to support London schools and pupils in relation to the rise in exclusion rates?


How does tackling expulsion rates fit into your Knife Crime Strategy?

The Mayor: I am consulting with schools and the education sector to find out more about the challenges that they face in supporting children who are at risk of exclusion or going missing from school. You can read more about our ongoing work around exclusion in the paper discussed at my Violence Reduction Unit Partnership Reference Group meeting in March. On 7 March, I joined with Police and Crime Commissioners to call on the Prime Minister to give local authorities responsibility over exclusions to ensure a co-ordinated strategic response, to outlaw off-rolling and to reverse the damaging cuts to early intervention services. We know that truancy and exclusion are risk factors in serious violence and that vulnerable children are more likely to be either excluded or not attending school. That’s why early intervention and support for vulnerable young people both in and out of school is needed, which is why I called for schools to have the necessary resources to deliver effective interventions and support those at risk of exclusion.
Education, health and communities teams are working closely with my Violence Reduction Unit and MOPAC on what can be done to support vulnerable children and reduce their involvement in knife crime. I shall be responding to the London Assembly’s report as requested in June.

Brexit and the ethnicity pay gap

Navin Shah: Comments from Simon Wooley, chairman of the government’s Race Disparity Advisory Group during a London Assembly economy committee meeting indicated that Brexit and austerity are having an adverse impact on the ethnicity pay gap. Given London’s large BME community, what is your office doing to tackle this?

The Mayor: This Government’s Brexit and austerity policies are harming Londoners, and are having a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, as evidenced by organisations such as Race on the Agenda1 and the Equality & Human Rights Commission2.
I have called onthe Government to withdraw Article 50 and give the public the final say on Brexit. I have also consistently opposed the Government’s cuts to public services and the welfare system and I am supporting the civil society organisations that are having to plug the gaps those cuts have created.
The employment and in-work progression programmes underpinned by London’s share of the European Social Fund (ESF) are particularly valuable in supporting BAME Londoners. This is why I am making the case for London to receive a fair settlement through the Government’s replacement for ESF – the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Lastly, I have recently published the GLA Group’s second ethnicity pay gap analysis and will support and encourage employers to do the same through my Good Work Standard.
1 https://www.rota.org.uk/brexitforbamebritain-briefing
2https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/cumulative-impact-on-living-standards-of-public-spending-changes.pdf

London youth clubs

Navin Shah: Recent research from Guardian cities has shown that London has lost nearly 100 youth centres since 2011, these due to central government cuts to local councils. As part of your Young Londoner’s Fund, is any funding allocated to keeping existing youth clubs open?

The Mayor: The Knife Crime APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) report shows the devastating impact the cuts to youth services are having on young people, with areas that have suffered the largest cuts facing the biggest increases in knife crime.
I am determined to invest in young people and my Young Londoners Fund is key to our long-term approach to tackling knife and violent crime in the capital. We’re now providing record amounts of funding, which is much needed following years of government cuts to key local services.
To date, I have invested over £20.5 million in projects that will offer positive activities and safe spaces for over 66,000 young Londoners. Many of these, such as the ‘There is Another Way’ project at the Harrow Club W10, ‘Girls Empowered Against Crime’ at the Knights Youth Centre in Lambeth and ‘Movement Through Arts’ at Bollo Brook Youth Centre in Ealing, are delivering from existing youth clubs and supporting the young people who use these clubs.

Electrical appliance safety in public sector fittings

Andrew Dismore: London Fire Brigade have recommended consumers do not buy plastic-backed appliances. What steps have you taken to ensure the fit-out on homes built using Greater London Authority money or on GLA land does not use these unsafe appliances?

The Mayor: I would expect all Londoners to heed the advice of the London Fire Brigade. The London Fire Brigade’s Total Recalls campaign highlights issues with unsafe electrical goods. Ultimately, however, it is the job of central Government to regulate building materials, components and appliances. Any schemes receiving GLA funding will still need to secure planning permission and comply with building regulations, and building owners and individual occupants will need to comply with relevant legislation when managing and occupying new homes.

Hackney Community Law Centre cuts

Sian Berry: In answer to question 2018/1172 regarding cuts to legal aid and advice organisations you said: “To assist them my team are hosting data surgeries to share skills on recording and measuring impact - a key part of applying for and retaining funding.” Can you offer any advice or assistance to the Hackney Community Law Centre which is facing potential closure following cuts to its funding from Hackney Council, in which its grant was cut from £203,000 to £115,000 without suitable consultation? Do you share my concern about both the process of making these cuts and their potential impact on vulnerable Londoners?

The Mayor: Advice centres, law centres and pro-bono units provide an invaluable service to vulnerable Londoners.
I was reminded of the impact of these services when I joined immigration lawyers offering free advice on the #LondonIsOpen Bus. They provided crucial guidance to EU Londoners whose rights have been overlooked during the Brexit process. I have recently allocated new funding to further explore improving access to legal advice for Londoners with insecure migration status. This is just one of many issues covered by organisations like Hackney Community Law Centre, helping Londoners who need critical legal advice and support.
As the Government’s austerity policies continue to reduce available resources, it is crucial that services can secure the limited funding that remains – the data surgeries you refer to are supporting them to do that. My officers have also met with civil society groups to understand how we can make our own funding opportunities more accessible. Hackney Community Law Centre can contact my community engagement team to discuss how this project might support them.

Postgraduate gender pay gap

Leonie Cooper: Women in England with postgraduate degrees still earn less than men with only bachelor’s degrees, while salaries for graduate men are growing at a faster pace than for their female peers, according to the latest official data on graduate earnings. How can you continue to encourage employers in London to eradicate the gender pay gap?

The Mayor: It is unacceptable that male graduates’ earnings are 8 per cent higher than women’s one year after graduation, 15 per centafter five years and 31 per centhigher at 10 years.
To help close this gap my Good Work Standard will encourage and support London’s employers to create more high-quality, flexible, fairly paid work so that women can progress in their chosen careers. I have improved senior leader and board level diversity across the GLA group, signalling to other employers my commitment to this issue. By launching the Our Time sponsorship programme, I have also created a practical toolkit for how other London employers can support women into leadership roles.
The GLA group was one of the first public sector employers to publish data on the gender pay gap, and we are now working to deliver the action plan to close the gap. To ensure I continue to lead by example I have also introduced family-friendly policies including flexible working, the Childcare Deposit Loan scheme, and new premature and neo-natal leave policies.

Childcare deposit scheme

Caroline Pidgeon: You have failed to answer my question submitted in November 2018 (Question number 2018/2987) requesting the number of employees who have applied for interest-free loans to assist with the up-front costs of childcare provision, as you announced on the 27 January 2017. When will you finally provide this information?

The Mayor: In January 2017, following a proposal from the single parent charity Gingerbread I launched an interest-free loan scheme to give all parents in the GLA group the funds they need to cover the up-front costs of childcare provision.
By April 2019, 35 employees across the GLA family had benefitted from the scheme.
GLA Family Group
Number of employees who have taken-up the Childcare Deposit Loan Scheme
Transport for London
30
Metropolitan Police Service
3
Greater London Authority
2
London Fire Brigade
0
London Legacy Development Corporation
0
The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime
0
Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation
0

Assessment of Budget Pressures and Cuts on Nurseries

Jennette Arnold: The National Day Nurseries Association has reported concerns that nurseries are limiting provision due to funding falling short of the costs of providing funded childcare places. There have also been reports of nurseries closing due to the budget pressures of funded childcare. Will you conduct an assessment of how this is affecting London?

The Mayor: I want all children to have access to high quality early years provision, to improve their outcomes and to support their parents in taking up work and training opportunities. The supply of high-quality early years provision in London is vital.
That’s why last year I commissioned a report that looked at the challenges of early years funding in London https://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/childcare-and-early-education-fu... and responded to the Government's consultation on the Early Years National Funding Formula in 2016. In this, I made the case for adequate funding for quality childcare in London.
My officers continue to monitor the impact of funded childcare on the early years sector through our London Early Years Stakeholder Group. Led by the GLA this includes the Department for Education, borough and other sector representatives. On a provider level, my Early Years Leaders programme will improve the management, leadership and business skills of 90 early years practitioners.
I will continue to make the case to Government for adequate funding for affordable, accessible and quality early years' provision.

World culture forum (1)

Andrew Boff: What has been the total cost to the GLA of the World Cities Culture Forum for the past 5 years broken down by year?

The Mayor: The World Cities Culture Forum is the leading global network bringing together influential city leaders to share learning, collaborate and partner on cultural initiatives that drive social and economic impact in urban development. Since it was established in London in 2012, it has grown from 9 to 38 cities.
London convenes the Forum and it is chaired by my Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE. Its members – senior leaders from city governments – are influential officials, advocating for culture as a vital part of urban policy which is proven to build a city’s quality of life, reputation and economic prosperity.
The total cost to the GLA of the World Cities Culture Forum for the past 5 years is below:
Financial Year
Total Gross Expenditure
Total Net Cost to GLA
2014/15
£35,480
£5,480
2015/16*
£169,440
£19,440
2016/17
£31,772
£31,772
2017/18
£46,149
£46,149
2018/19*
£132,397
£38,652
Total
£415,238
£141,493
*In 2015/16 London hosted the World Cities Culture Summit and in 2018/19 the Forum ran a Leadership Exchange Programme. Both these additional projects were funded by other income including sponsorship.

Child oral health (4)

Onkar Sahota: What, if any, plans do you have to work with colleagues in the Healthy London Partnership and other stakeholders in addressing the use of shisha and betel nut in London, given their harmful consequences for oral health particularly among young people?

The Mayor: Local authorities know their communities and are best placed work with them to address their needs. Intervention by a wide range of services including public health, environmental health, and trading standards is often required to achieve change.
I support a coordinated multi-agency approach to prevention and enforcement work including the development of pan-London approaches where appropriate (for example on illegal tobacco). Public Health England and the Association of Directors of Public Health are working with Healthy London Partnership and others to progress action on tobacco control at a regional and sub-regional level.
I also support initiatives such as Making Every Contact Count that help NHS and front-line staff (including dentists) talk to people about how to improve their health.

Support for residents living with flammable cladding (1)

Andrew Dismore: Surveys by the UK Cladding Action Group of residents in private tower blocks with flammable cladding showed that a quarter (25.5%) have sought medical help due to mental health issues, while 15.3% said they were receiving medical attention. A total of 38.3% of residents said they had turned to alcohol to help cope with the stress while 8.7% said they were experiencing suicidal feelings as a result. Will you consider writing to the relevant building owners in London and NHS organisations asking them to provide support for these individuals?

The Mayor: The impact of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower was widespread, and I wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care last October seeking assurance that plans were in place to meet the physical and mental health needs of affected families.
This report shines a light on how wide the impacts of the Grenfell tragedy have been and it is vital to ensure the right support is available to everyone who may be affected.
It is unacceptable that residents should shoulder the burden of the cost of remedial work to remove cladding on privately-owned high-rise buildings. The Government has finally recognised this, recently announcing that they will fund the removal of unsafe ACM cladding.

Education and behaviour policies

Navin Shah: The National Education Union has described behaviour policies in schools in England as “damaging to pupil mental health.” There are concerns around behaviour policies such as prolonged isolation periods in our schools and its effects on young people, especially given the state of childhood mental health services. What can be done to ensure there is enough level of oversight of behavioural policies in London schools?

The Mayor: London schools need more resourcing to put in place the right early intervention support that can help teachers by reducing behavioural problems from arising in the first place. This preventative approach is needed to minimise schools resorting to punitive approaches down the line, like prolonged isolation periods.
I have called on the Prime Minister to give local authorities more responsibility over exclusions to ensure a co-ordinated strategic response. I will be liaising with London’s education sector to respond to the Government’s forthcoming consultation greater local authority oversight following the Timpson Review.
You are right to identify the lack of resources on children’s mental health support, within schools and more widely. I am working with the NHS, boroughs and schools to improve pupil mental health and well-being, which in many cases will address underlying behavioural issues. 2000 schools now participate in Healthy Schools London and the first 100 schools have taken up Mental Health First Aiders training, funded through the Young Londoners Fund.

Here for good law funding

Andrew Boff: What is the total amount of money the GLA has given to the "here for good" organisation and what was this for?

The Mayor: The3million and their co-suppliers Here for Good were awarded a £57,871 contract as part of a competitive tendering process for City Hall’s EU Londoners Hub initiative. The Hub provides information and signposting to vulnerable EU Londoners, helping to ensure that EU citizens living in London have the information and support they need to secure their right to stay in the UK after Brexit. These organisations have jointly provided legal expertise, community contacts, and language specialisms to reach vulnerable groups through accessible and targeted resources.

Work to bring an NFL franchise to London

Navin Shah: What discussions, if any, have you had with the NFL regarding bringing a franchise to London? Please update on the current state of play for this endeavour.

The Mayor: I’m delighted that London is the European capital of American Football. The NFL has been staging regular season games in London since 2007. These London Games bring thousands of visitors and significant direct economic investment to our city each year.
The NFL and I have a shared ambition to relocate a franchise to London and I have met the NFL Commissioner on numerous occasions around the annual London Games to discuss their plans and what London can do to continue to support the NFL in delivering successful events each year.
The NFL continues to test the feasibility of London as a home for a franchise through its scheduling and activations programme. In 2018, for example, the NFL hosted games on three consecutive weekends in London for the first time, as well as hosting an ambitious season kick-off event in central London. On top of this, this year they will be competing in the new Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium. However, the decision to relocate a franchise rests solely with the owners of the NFL’s 32 teams.
I continue to make the case to the NFL and the team owners of the benefits of relocating a franchise to London and GLA officers continue to support the NFL to ensure the annual London Games are a success.

Global sporting, cultural and artistic events

Navin Shah: Following London’s success in hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games can you outline which similar global sporting, cultural and artistic events London has bid for? Of those bids what has been successful?

The Mayor: The success of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has cemented London’s position as a world-leading host of major sporting and cultural events.
Hosting major events reinforces London’s global reputation, bringing both domestic and overseas visitors to the city and delivering significant investment into London’s economy. In addition, the social benefits of hosting major events should not be underestimated. Events create a real sense of civic pride - bringing people together and inspiring Londoners to lead active lives.
The UEFA European Championship, which we helped to secure, is taking place in Summer 2020. It is the largest sporting event in Europe and the third largest globally after the Summer Olympics and FIFA World Cup. London will host seven Euro matches at Wembley Stadium, including both semi-finals and the final. This will be the biggest sporting event in London since the 2012 Olympics, with hundreds of thousands of travelling fans expected throughout the tournament and a wealth of cultural and community opportunities for Londoners to celebrate this once in a generation festival of football and European culture.
In addition to this event and the annual calendar of major international events that we host (including RideLondon, the London Marathon, Wimbledon, NFL London Games, the FA Cup Final), London has been involved in securing a number of world-class sporting events including:
We also support a world-renowned calendar of major cultural and artistic events and festivals in London including the BFILondon Film Festival, London Games Festival, London Fashion Week and Fashion Week Men’s and London Design Festival.

A new eye hospital for London

Onkar Sahota: What discussions, if any, has the Greater London Authority had with University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology regarding Project Oriel?

The Mayor: GLA officers have provided support and advice to the London Estates Board in the Board’s discussions with Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust, concerning the potential use of land that may become available as a result of Project Oriel.
Once the detailed service reconfiguration proposals are published for public consultation I expect to apply my six tests for major service transformation and reconfiguration plans (as set out in https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/sadiq-khan-calls-for-bi...).

Equality of access to IVF treatment

Unmesh Desai: Do you agree that the level of provision available for those seeking IVF treatment in London should not be determined by where a patient lives?

The Mayor: Whilst I have no direct responsibility for the delivery of NHS services, Londoners should expect to be able to access the healthcare services they need, where and when they need them. I am committed to making London a healthier, fairer city, where nobody’s health suffers because of who they are, or where they live. A postcode lottery in access to IVF treatment is just one symptom of the financial pressure the NHS is under.
As part of my commitment to champion and challenge the NHS, I raise a range of NHS issues in my regular meetings with London’s health leaders and I will continue to advocate for better access to healthcare for all Londoners.

SEND Budget Cuts

Jennette Arnold: Hackney council recently won the court case on SEND budgets, yet the issue remains unresolved for many young Londoners due to cuts from Government. Will you once again raise this important issue with the Secretary of State for Education when you next meet?

The Mayor: No family should have to battle a local authority in the courts to get the support that a child with special educational needs and disabilities needs. Local authorities have a duty to ensure that the right SEND provision is available, but without the funding to pay for it they are having to make tough decisions.
As I said in my response to Mayor's Question 2019/0278, I expressed my concerns about SEND provision to the Secretary of State for Education when we met last October and will continue to call on the Government to provide sufficient funding to meet the demand for London’s stretched SEND services.
I welcome Damian Hinds’ recent announcement of a review of educational funding for children with SEND and the Department for Education’s call for evidence on current arrangements. It is vital that the voices of those who care for children and young people with SEND are heard. I will continue to ensure London's voice is heard during this review.

Update on Supported Internships

Jennette Arnold: What progress has been made delivering your welcome announcement of supported internships for young people with SEND at City Hall?

The Mayor: My review into post-16 provision for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) highlighted a shortfall in the number of places and progression routes into employment. This review, like the report that the London Assembly published on SEND in 2018, identified supported internships as an option that is increasingly popular with young people. I encourage employers to come forward to offer supported internships for 16-24 year olds with SEND and am leading by example by providing placements at City Hall.
A team has been meeting bi-monthly to drive forward the implementation of a pilot scheme as part of Transport for London’s established Steps Into Work programme. The group includes staff from City Hall, London Fire Brigade, Transport for London, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation. In September a small cohort of young people will start supported internship placements with the GLA. The next phase will review this pilot with a view to increasing the number of placements.

Healthy Schools Effectiveness Measurements

Jennette Arnold: How do you measure the effectiveness of the Healthy Schools London programme? How successful is the programme so far against these measurements? Will you use the same metrics to assess the effectiveness of Healthy Early Years?

The Mayor: My ambition is to recruit 2150 schools to the Healthy Schools London (HSL) programme by 2020, with 60 per centof recruited schools achieving an HSL award. Current engagement is 2108 Registered schools (82 per centof all London schools), 1194 schools achieving a Bronze Award, 634 a Silver and 244 a Gold Award.
Similar progress measures and targets have been set for my Healthy Early Years London (HEYL) programme. HEYL has 32 Boroughs including 16 with the poorest outcomes participating in HEYL; 1157 settings registered (87 per centof 2020 target), 763 have HEYL First Steps, 72 Bronze, 27 Silver and 3 have Gold.
HEYL and HSL will contribute to two of the top-level metrics being used to measure progress against my Health Inequalities Strategy over the longer term: school readiness among children eligible for free school meals; and the proportion of excess weight in children at aged 10-11 (the gap between least and most deprived).

Child oral health (3)

Onkar Sahota: Does the Healthy Early Years Award include support for early years settings to run supervised toothbrushing?

The Mayor: My Healthy Early Years London programme shares resources and good practice to support early years settings to help children and families learn about oral health: how to keep teeth clean, toothbrushing and the importance of going to the dentist. This includes information on dummies and bottles, healthy snacks and drinks, sugar consumption, and local dentists.

Child oral health (2)

Onkar Sahota: Does the Child Obesity Taskforce also consider the consequences of poor diet on young people’s oral health?

The Mayor: The Taskforce has a clear remit to focus on tackling child obesity in London. However, members have looked at how a focus on improved diets could also benefit children’s oral health. For example, the Taskforce are considering opportunities to increase children’s consumption of water and reduce their intake of sugary drinks, with the aim of reducing calorie intake. This would have the dual benefit of also improving the oral health of London’s children.

Child oral health (1)

Onkar Sahota: Your Health Inequalities Strategy rightly notes that child oral health is a problem in London with a strong social gradient. What are you doing to encourage external partners to take the actions set out in that document, namely to develop a programme to encourage parents of children aged 0-4 to register with dentists and go for checkups?

The Mayor: Child oral health is an important strand of my Healthy Early Years London programme, which shares resources and good practice to support children and families to learn about oral health.
I am also supporting the Starting Well initiative which is being promoted by the Chief Dental Officer, NHS England and Public Health England. This is a dental practice-based initiative for children aged 0-4 years, focused on increasing attendance at dental services. The initiative has been implemented in Ealing as part of a national programme and is being rolled out across London.

Childhood Obesity Commission

Andrew Boff: What is the total budget of the childhood obesity commission in the 2019-20 year and please provide me with a detailed line by line breakdown of how this will be spent?

The Mayor: Child obesity is everyone’s business and I will be open and transparent about the role I can play in London. I convened a taskforce for London to focus on the specific goal of achieving a step change in progress towards tackling child obesity by 2030.
My Chief of Staff, David Bellamy wrote to the Chair of the Assembly in February 2019 on the GLA budget for this programme. We are working with Guy’s and St Thomas Charity on this initiative, including financial and in-kind support and contributions.
The specific budget for London’s Child Obesity Taskforce in 2019/20 is £301k (GLA 2019/20 budget £229,000, GSTTC income of £72,000,). This budget covers spend on items such as the delivery of the forthcoming action plan, staffing for the Taskforce secretariat, and sharing of learning with the UK and global cities.

‘Off Rolling’ in London Schools

Jennette Arnold: Recent reports estimated that 49,000 children from one cohort in England appear to have been ‘off rolled’ at some point during their education, representing 1 in 12 pupils. Will you conduct an assessment of the scale of the problem in London?

The Mayor: In my joint letter with the Police and Crime Commissioners to the Prime Minister in March, I urged the government to take urgent action on exclusions and off-rolling to help tackle serious youth violence. It is positive that Ofsted is leading the way on identifying the issue of off-rolling. In my response to its recent Education Inspection Framework consultation, I sought assurance that Ofsted will take action if off-rolling is found outside of the normal inspection cycle, and that this will trigger a re-inspection of the school. In my discussions held with Boroughs, headteachers and community organisations, it has become clear that we need to better understand data on pupils managed moves and share this more widely. I have called on Ofsted to take the further step of undertaking a deep dive into managed moves in London. This would help all agencies and schools to better understand the impact on the capital’s children and complement Ofsted’s valuable London research on ‘Safeguarding children and young people in education from knife crime’ earlier this year. I will continue to press Ofsted to undertake this work.

Primary School Choices

Jennette Arnold: Why does London have a lower proportion of families accepted into their first choice primary school compared (85%) to other major cities like Manchester (91%) and Birmingham (89%)? How are you working with Boroughs and the Department for Education to help rectify this?

The Mayor: Since 2011 primary school places have been co-ordinated through the Pan-London Admissions scheme led jointly by the London boroughs. The scheme has meant that offers are more fairly distributed and more parents receive an offer from one of their preferred schools earlier.
While there is now a slowing of demand for primary places in London, pressure on different schools and boroughs still varies. Overall 96 per centof children did get a place at one of their top three schools in London. We continue to support boroughs and parents through our projections of pupil numbers to aid school place planning and the information provided on the London Schools Atlas - https://maps.london.gov.uk/schools/